Starting device for a motorcycle

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an apparatus for a motorcycle includes a first component having a pair of arms configured to be coupled to an inner shaft of a suspension fork. A locking plate is coupled to the pair of arms. A second component includes a housing configured to be coupled to a telescopic outer shaft of the suspension fork. The housing extends along a first longitudinal axis. A pin is configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis extending transverse to the first longitudinal axis relative to the housing. The pin has a tip configured to engage the locking plate of the first component.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to motorcycles, and moreparticularly, to a starting device for a motorcycle.

BACKGROUND

Motorcycles generally include a suspension fork coupled to the fronttire. The suspension fork includes an inner shaft and an outertelescopic shaft that is compressible along the inner shaft. Thesuspension fork enables the front tire to compress and extend as themotorcycle passes over objects in the road. The compression andextension provides comfort to the rider and may prevent the rider frombeing involved in an accident.

Motorcycles also experience a great amount of thrust when the motorcycleis started. The thrust may cause the motorcycle to rotate backward ontothe back tire. Rotation of the motorcycle may be dangerous, and in somecases, may eject the rider from the motorcycle. By locking thesuspension fork in a compressed position, rotation of the motorcycle maybe prevented or limited. However, once the motorcycle is in movement,the suspension fork must be released so that the suspension fork cancompress and extend normally during operation of the motorcycle.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an apparatus for amotorcycle includes a first component having a pair of arms configuredto be coupled to an inner shaft of a suspension fork. A locking plate iscoupled to the pair of arms. A second component includes a housingconfigured to be coupled to a telescopic outer shaft of the suspensionfork. The housing extends along a first longitudinal axis. A pin isconfigured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis extendingtransverse to the first longitudinal axis relative to the housing. Thepin has a tip configured to engage the locking plate of the firstcomponent. A biasing element is configured to bias the pin in a firstposition in which the tip is positioned in the housing. A lockingmechanism is configured to lock the pin in second position in which thetip is positioned outside of the housing. When the pin is located at thesecond position, a first angle is defined between the tip and the firstlongitudinal axis when the pin is viewed in a first plane. When the pinis located at a third position between the first position and the secondposition, the tip is aligned with the first longitudinal axis whenviewed in the first plane.

In some embodiments, when the pin is located at the first position, asecond angle may be defined between the tip and the first longitudinalaxis when viewed in the first plane. The second angle may be differentthan the first angle.

In some embodiments, the pin may have a body having a pair of parallelsurfaces and a curved cam surface extending between the pair of parallelsurfaces. The pair of parallel surfaces and the cam surface may be sizedto be received in the locking plate. The pin may have a lowered taperedsurface formed at an end of the body.

In some embodiments, the locking plate may have a pair of parallelsidewalls and end surfaces extending between the pair of parallelsidewalls. The pair of parallel sidewalls and the end surfaces maydefine a pin slot that is sized to receive the pin. The locking platemay have an upper tapered surface. The pin slot may be positioned belowthe upper tapered surface.

In some embodiments, a guide barrel may be positioned within thehousing. The guide barrel may have a guide slot. The pin may have aguide tab positioned in the guide slot. When the pin is rotated, theguide tab may be configured to advance through the guide slot to axiallyadvance the pin between the first position, the second position, and thethird position. The guide slot may have a groove configured to lock theguide tab in the second position.

In some embodiments, each of the pair of arms may have a first armsegment coupled to the locking plate. A second arm segment may behingedly attached to the first arm segment.

According to another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an apparatusfor a motorcycle includes a first component having a pair of armsconfigured to be coupled to an inner shaft of a suspension fork. Alocking plate is coupled to the pair of arms. A second componentincludes a housing configured to be coupled to a telescopic outer shaftof the suspension fork. The housing extends along a first longitudinalaxis. A pin is configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axisextending transverse to the first longitudinal axis relative to thehousing. The pin has a tip configured to engage the locking plate of thefirst component. A biasing element is configured to bias the pin in afirst position in which the tip is positioned a first distance from thefirst longitudinal axis. The first distance is defined along the secondlongitudinal axis. A locking mechanism is configured to lock the pin ina second position in which the tip is positioned outside of the housinga second distance from the longitudinal axis. The second distance isdefined along the second longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, when the pin is located at a third position betweenthe first position and the second position, the tip may be positioned athird distance from the longitudinal axis between the first distance andthe second distance. The third distance may be defined along the secondlongitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the pin may have a body having a pair of parallelsurfaces and a curved cam surface extending between the pair of parallelsurfaces. The pair of parallel surfaces and the cam surface may be sizedto be received in the locking plate. The pin may have a lowered taperedsurface formed at an end of the body.

In some embodiments, the locking plate may have a pair of parallelsidewalls and end surfaces extending between the pair of parallelsidewalls. The pair of parallel sidewalls and the end surfaces maydefine a pin slot that is sized to receive the pin. The locking platemay have an upper tapered surface. The pin slot may be positioned belowthe upper tapered surface.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a methodof locking a suspension fork includes coupling a housing to a telescopicouter shaft of a suspension fork along a first longitudinal axis. Themethod also includes rotating a pin about a second longitudinal axisthat extends traverse to the first longitudinal axis to a startingposition. A first angle is defined between a tip of the pin and thefirst longitudinal axis when the pin is viewed in a first plane. Themethod also includes applying a compressive force to the suspension forkto advance the pin downward past a plate coupled to an inner shaft ofthe suspension fork. The method also includes releasing the compressiveforce to permit the pin to advance to engage the plate. The pin isrotated to a locked position when the pin is engaged with the plate. Inthe locked position, the tip of the pin is aligned with the firstlongitudinal axis when viewed in the first plane.

In some embodiments, rotating the pin to the staring position mayrequire rotating the pin from an unlocked position. In the unlockedposition, a second angle may be defined between the tip of the pin andthe first longitudinal axis when viewed in the first plane. The secondangle may be different than the first angle.

In some embodiments, applying the compressive force may requireadvancing a lowered tapered surface of the pin along an upper taperedsurface of the plate.

In some embodiments, rotating the pin to the starting position mayrequire locking a guide tab of the pin in a locking mechanism. The guidetab of the pin may be disengaged from the locking mechanism when the pinis engaged with the plate.

In some embodiments, the method also includes applying an additionalcompressive force to the suspension fork to disengage the pin from theplate. The pin may retract to the starting position when the pin isdisengaged from the plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The detailed description particularly refers to the following figures,in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an assembly for starting amotorcycle;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the first component of the assemblyshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the first component of the assemblyshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the second component of the assembly shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the housing of the second componentshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the guide barrel of the second componentshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the guide barrel shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the knob of the second componentshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the pin of the second componentshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of an end of the pin shown of the secondcomponent shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a first side elevation view of the end of the pin shown inFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the end of the pin shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a second side elevation view of the end of the pin shown inFIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the second component shown in FIG. 1and in an unlocked position;

FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the first component and thesecond component shown in FIG. 1 with the second component in theunlocked position;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 15 with the second component in astarting position;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 16 with the second component in thestarting position and advanced past the first component;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 15 with the second component in alocked position; and

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 16 with the second component in thelocked position and secured to the first component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodimentsthereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and willherein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, thatthere is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure tothe particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, a locking assembly 10 for a motorcycle (not shown)includes a first component 12 configured to be coupled to an inner shaftof a suspension fork and a second component 14 configured to be coupledto a telescopic outer shaft of a suspension fork. The first component 12includes a locking plate 16 that is configured to be secured to a pin 18of the second component 14. The pin 18 of the second component 14 isconfigured to be rotated from an unlocked position to a startingposition by rotating a knob 20. With the pin 18 in the startingposition, a compressive force is applied to the suspension fork so thatthe second component 14 is advanced past the first component 12 as thesuspension fork compresses. When the force is removed from thesuspension fork, the pin 18 engages the locking plate 16 and is rotatedto a locked position. In the locked position, the pin 18 is secured tothe locking plate 16 so that the suspension fork is retained in acompressed position. In this compressed position, the motorcycle isrestrained from pulling upward upon starting the motorcycle. After themotorcycle is started, and upon an additional compression of thesuspension fork, the pin 18 is released from the locking plate 16 andretracts back to the unlocked position so that the suspension forkreturns to an uncompressed position.

The first component 12 includes a pair of arms 30 extending from thelocking plate 16. The arms 30 are rounded to be secured around acylindrical inner shaft of the suspension fork. Each of a second pair ofarms 32 extends from an arm 30. The arms 32 and the arms 30 are coupledby a hinge 34 that allows the arms 32 to rotate with respect to the arms30. The arms 32 are also rounded and sized and shaped to position aroundthe inner shaft of the suspension fork. Because the arms 32 and the arms30 are hingedly attached, an opening 36 defined by the arms 30, 32 isadjustable in size to accommodate different sized inner shafts. The arms30 are positioned around the inner shaft, and the arms 32 are rotatedinward until the arms 32 are flush with the inner shaft. An end 38 ofeach arm 32 is then secured with a fastener 40 that tightens the firstcomponent 12 around the inner shaft.

The locking plate 16 includes a body 50 having a pair of sides 52extending outward from the arms 30. A front face 54 of the locking plate16 extends between the sides 52 so that an opening 56 is defined betweenthe sides 52 and the front face 54 and the arms 30. The opening 56 issized to receive a portion of the pin 18. Referring to FIG. 2, the frontface 54 includes a planar front surface 60. An angled lower surface 62extends downward from the front surface 60. An angled upper surface 64extends upward from the front surface 60. The angled upper surface 64provides an engagement surface 66 for the pin 18 to advance past thefirst component 12 (as described in more detail below).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a notch 70 is formed in the front face 54 ofthe locking plate 16. The notch 70 extends from an opening 72 in abottom 74 of the front face 54. The notch 70 also extends from anopening 76 in the front face 54 to the opening 56. The notch 70 extendsthrough the lower surface 62 and partially through the front surface 60.The notch 70 is defined by a pair of opposite side walls 80 and a pairof angled end walls 82 extending from the side walls 80. The oppositeside walls 80 are substantially parallel. The angled end walls 82intersect at a rounded surface 84 so that the angled end walls 82 definea V-shape.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second component 14 includes a housing 90 thatis configured to be coupled to the telescopic outer shaft of asuspension fork. The housing 90 extends along a longitudinal axis 86 andincludes a body 92 configured to receive a guide barrel 94. The guidebarrel 94 is joined to the housing 90 with a fastener 96 that isinserted through an opening 118 in a flange 88 of the guide barrel 94.The guide barrel 94 includes a bore 108 extending from an opening 110 ina front end 112 to an opening 114 in a back end 116. The pin 18 isconfigured to be inserted into the bore 108 of the guide barrel 94 alonga longitudinal axis 78 that extends traverse to the longitudinal axis86. The pin 18 is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis 78.The pin 18 is also configured to advance axially along the longitudinalaxis 78. The guide barrel 94 includes a guide slot 98. The pin 18includes a guide tab 100 extending radially outward from an outersurface 102 of the pin 18. The pin 18 is positioned within the guidebarrel 94 so that the guide tab 100 of the pin 18 is positioned withinthe guide slot 98 of the guide barrel 94. The knob 20 is secured to thepin 18 with a fastener 104. A biasing element 106, illustrated as aspring, is positioned around the pin 18 and extends from the knob 20 tohousing 90.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the body 92 of the housing 90 is generallycylindrical. A rear face 120 of the body 92 includes a circular outerflange 122 and a circular inner flange 124 extending outward from a rearface 120 (shown in FIG. 5). A circular channel 128 is defined betweenthe outer flange 122 and the inner flange 124. The channel 128 isconfigured to receive an end of the biasing element 106. An opening 130is defined in the rear face 120. A bore 132 extends from the opening 130to an opening 134 in a front face 136 of the body 92 (shown in FIG. 6).The bore 132 is sized to receive the guide barrel 94. A semi-circularflange 138 extends around the opening 134.

An upper flange 150 and a lower flange 152 extend from the body 92. Theupper flange 150 includes a rear surface 154 (shown in FIG. 5) and afront surface 156 (shown in FIG. 6). A pair of attachment points 158extends from the rear surface 154. Threaded passageways 160 extend fromopenings 162 in the front surface 156 and into the attachment points158. The threaded passageways 160 are configured to receive a fastener(not shown) to secure the housing 90 to the telescopic outer shaft of asuspension fork. The lower flange 152 includes a rear surface 170 (shownin FIG. 5) and a front surface 172 (shown in FIG. 6). An attachmentpoint 174 extends from the rear surface 170. A threaded passageway 176extends from an opening 178 in the front surface 172 and into theattachment point 174. The threaded passageway 176 is configured toreceive a fastener (not shown) to secure the housing 90 to thetelescopic outer shaft of the suspension fork.

A notch 180 extends from the opening 134 through the front surface 172of the lower flange 152. The notch 180 is defined by a bottom surface182 and an inner wall 184 extending from the bottom surface 182 to thefront surface 172. A threaded bore 186 extends from an opening 188 inthe bottom surface 182. The threaded bore 186 is configured to receivethe fastener 96 to secure the guide barrel 94 to the housing 90.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the guide barrel 94 includes a cylindricalbody 200 that ends between the front end 112 and the back end 116. Acylindrical flange 206 extends from the front end 112. The cylindricalflange 206 has a diameter that is less than a diameter of thecylindrical body 200 so that the guide barrel 94 steps down from thecylindrical body 200 to the cylindrical flange 206. The flange 88extends radially outward from the front end 112. The flange 88 isconfigured to position in the notch 180 of the housing 90.

The guide slot 98 extends through the cylindrical body 200 from an outersurface 222 of the cylindrical body 200 to the bore 108. The guide slot98 is generally curved and spirals along the outer surface 222 of thecylindrical body 200 from a back end 224 to a front end 226 of the guidebarrel 94. The front end 226 of the guide slot 98 includes a lockingmechanism 228 that extends circumferentially around the guide barrel 94.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a front side 240 of the knob 20 includes acavity 242 extending from an opening 244. The cavity 242 is definedbetween a bottom surface 246 and a side wall 248 extending from thebottom surface 246. The bottom surface 246 includes a circumferentialchannel 250 that extends between the side wall 248 and a raised surface252 extending from the bottom surface 246. Another raised surface 254extends from the raised surface 252. The raised surface 254 includes asubstantially square body 256 and a flange 258 extending radiallyoutward from the body 256. A bore 260 extends through an opening 262 inthe body 256 and is configured to receive the fastener 104.

Referring to FIG. 10, the pin 18 includes a body 268 having a rear end270. The rear end 270 includes an end surface 272. A cavity 274 extendsfrom an opening 276 in the end surface 272. The cavity 274 includes abottom surface 284 and a side wall 278 extending from the bottom surface284. The cavity 274 includes a substantially square area 280 that issized and shaped to receive the body 256 of the raised surface 254 ofthe knob 20. A notch 282 extends radially outward from the area 280 andis sized and shaped to receive the flange 258 of the raised surface 254of the knob 20. The raised surface 254 of the knob 20 is sized andshaped to be received in the cavity 274 of the pin 18 so that the pin 18is rotated with the knob 20 when the knob 20 is rotated by a user. Abore 290 extends from an opening 292 in the raised surface 254 of theknob 20. The bore 290 is configured to receive the fastener 104 tocouple the knob 20 to the pin 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, the body 268 of the pin 18 includes anouter surface 300. A notch 302 is formed in the outer surface 300 andincludes bottom walls 304. The bottom walls 304 include a planar surface306 that extends to a rounded surface 308. Moving around the pin 18, therounded surface 308 is coupled to another rounded surface 310 by a camsurface 312, as shown in FIG. 12. Other rounded surfaces 314, 316 extendfrom the cam surface 312 to a planar surface 318. The planar surface 318is substantially parallel with the planar surface 306. The planarsurface 318 slopes back to the outer surface 300, as illustrated in FIG.14. The planar surfaces 306 and 316 and the cam surface 312 are sizedand shaped to be received in the notch 70 of the locking plate 16. Thecam surface 312 defines a tip of the pin 18.

Referring to FIGS. 11-14, an end 330 of the pin 18 extends from the body268. The end 330 includes an upper tapered surface 332 coupled to alower tapered surface 334 by a rounded surface 336. Each of the uppertapered surface 332 and the lower tapered surface 334 extends at anangle relative to the longitudinal axis 78. The upper tapered surface332 extends at a non-orthogonal angle to the lower tapered surface 334.The upper tapered surface 332 and the lower tapered surface 334 aregenerally planar. As described in more detail below, the lower taperedsurface 334 is sized and shaped to contact and slide past the angledupper surface 64 of the locking plate 16 during operation.

During operation, the second component 14 is coupled to a telescopicouter shaft 340 of a suspension fork, and the first component 12 iscoupled to an inner shaft 342 of the suspension fork. The pin 18 isinitially in an unlocked position 350, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and16. In the unlocked position 350, the cam surface 312 is positionedwithin the housing 90 a distance 352 from the longitudinal axis 86. Thefirst distance 352 is defined along the longitudinal axis 78. The camsurface 312 is angled from the longitudinal axis 86 at an angle 354, asillustrated in FIG. 15. In the unlocked position 350, the telescopicouter shaft 340 can freely move relative to the inner shaft 342. Thatis, the telescopic outer shaft 340 can be compressed relative to theinner shaft 342. With the pin 18 in the unlocked positioned 350, thefirst component 12 freely moves past the second component 14 when acompressive force is applied to the telescopic outer shaft 340.

To operate the assembly 10, the knob 20 is rotated by a user to rotatethe pin 18 about the longitudinal axis 78 in the direction of arrow 360,shown in FIG. 17. The pin 18 is rotated to a starting position 362, asillustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. During rotation, the guide tab 100 ofthe pin 18 advances along the guide slot 98 of the guide barrel 94 andinto the locking mechanism 228. The pin 18 is locked in the startingposition 362 when the guide tab 100 is secured within the lockingmechanism 228. In the starting position 362, the cam surface 312 extendsfrom the housing 90 to a distance 370 from the longitudinal axis 86. Thedistance 370 is defined along the longitudinal axis 78. The cam surface312 is also rotated to an angle 372 relative to the longitudinal axis86. The angle 372 is different than the angle 354.

With the pin 18 in the starting position 362, the telescopic outer shaft340 is compressed relative to the inner shaft 342 so that the firstcomponent 12 advances past the second component 14, as illustrated inFIG. 18. As the first component 12 advances past the second component14, the lower tapered surface 334 of the pin 18 contacts and slidesalong the angled upper surface 64 of the locking plate 16. When thefirst component 12 is advanced past the second component 14, the notch302 of the pin 18 is aligned with the notch 70 of the locking plate 16.

The compressive force on the telescopic outer shaft 340 is thenreleased, so that that the first component 12 advances toward the secondcomponent 14. The end 330 of the pin 18 advances into the opening 56 inthe locking plate 16 so that the notch 302 of the pin 18 advances intothe notch 70 of the locking plate 16. The cam surface 312 contacts theside wall 80 of the notch 70 and the guide tab 100 is released from thelocking mechanism 228 so that the pin 18 rotates to a locked positioned380, shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. In the locked position 380 the pin 18 issecured within the locking plate 16. The planar surfaces 306, 316 of thepin 18 are aligned with and extending parallel to the side walls 80 ofthe locking plate 16. The planar surfaces 306, 316 are secured againstthe side walls 80 to retain the pin 18 in the locked position 380. Inthe locked position 380, the cam surface 312 extends from the housing 90to a distance 382 from the longitudinal axis 86. The distance 382 isdefined along the longitudinal axis 78. The cam surface 312 is alsoaligned with the longitudinal axis 86.

A single user can operate the assembly 10 as described above to lock thetelescopic outer shaft 340 in a compressed position relative to theinner shaft 342. With the telescopic outer shaft 340 compressed, themotorcycle is started. The motorcycle is prevented or limited fromrotating onto the back tire when the motorcycle thrusts because of thecompressed position of the telescopic outer shaft 340. As the motorcycleis operated, an additional compressive force of the telescopic outershaft 340 causes the pin 18 to disengage from the locking plate 16.Because the guide tab 100 has been released from the locking mechanism228, the biasing element 106 biases the pin 18 back to the unlockedposition 350 so that the first component 12 can freely move relative tothe second component 13, thereby allowing compression and extension ofthe telescopic outer shaft 340 relative to the inner shaft 342.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and descriptionis to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, itbeing understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown anddescribed and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arisingfrom the various features of the devices and assemblies describedherein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the devices andassemblies of the present disclosure may not include all of the featuresdescribed yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of suchfeatures. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise theirown implementations of the devices and assemblies that incorporate oneor more of the features of the present invention and fall within thespirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for a motorcycle comprising: a firstcomponent, comprising: a pair of arms configured to be coupled to aninner shaft of a suspension fork, and a locking plate coupled to thepair of arms, and a second component, comprising: a housing configuredto be coupled to a telescopic outer shaft of the suspension fork, thehousing extending along a first longitudinal axis, a pin configured torotate about a second longitudinal axis extending transverse to thefirst longitudinal axis relative to the housing, the pin having a tipconfigured to engage the locking plate of the first component, a biasingelement configured to bias the pin in a first position in which the tipis positioned in the housing, and a locking mechanism configured to lockthe pin in second position in which the tip is positioned outside of thehousing, wherein when the pin is located at the second position, a firstangle is defined between the tip and the first longitudinal axis whenthe pin is viewed in a first plane, and wherein when the pin is locatedat a third position between the first position and the second position,the tip is aligned with the first longitudinal axis when viewed in thefirst plane.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the pin islocated at the first position, a second angle is defined between the tipand the first longitudinal axis when viewed in the first plane, whereinthe second angle is different than the first angle.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the pin includes a body having a pair of parallelsurfaces and a curved cam surface extending between the pair of parallelsurfaces, wherein the pair of parallel surfaces and the cam surface aresized to be received in the locking plate.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the pin includes a lowered tapered surface formed at an end ofthe body.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking plateincludes a pair of parallel sidewalls and end surfaces extending betweenthe pair of parallel sidewalls, wherein the pair of parallel sidewallsand the end surfaces define a pin slot that is sized to receive the pin.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the locking plate includes an uppertapered surface, wherein the pin slot is positioned below the uppertapered surface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a guidebarrel positioned within the housing, the guide barrel having a guideslot, wherein the pin includes a guide tab positioned in the guide slot,wherein when the pin is rotated, the guide tab is configured to advancethrough the guide slot to axially advance the pin between the firstposition, the second position, and the third position.
 8. The apparatusof claim 7, wherein the guide slot includes a groove configured to lockthe guide tab in the second position.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein each of the pair of arms includes a first arm segment coupled tothe locking plate, and a second arm segment hingedly attached to thefirst arm segment.
 10. An apparatus for a motorcycle comprising: a firstcomponent, comprising: a pair of arms configured to be coupled to aninner shaft of a suspension fork, and a locking plate coupled to thepair of arms, and a second component, comprising: a housing configuredto be coupled to a telescopic outer shaft of the suspension fork, thehousing extending along a first longitudinal axis, a pin configured torotate about a second longitudinal axis extending transverse to thefirst longitudinal axis relative to the housing, the pin having a tipconfigured to engage the locking plate of the first component, a biasingelement configured to bias the pin in a first position in which the tipis positioned a first distance from the first longitudinal axis, thefirst distance being defined along the second longitudinal axis, and alocking mechanism configured to lock the pin in a second position inwhich the tip is positioned outside of the housing a second distancefrom the longitudinal axis, the second distance being defined along thesecond longitudinal axis, wherein when the pin is located at a thirdposition between the first position and the second position, the tip ispositioned a third distance from the longitudinal axis between the firstdistance and the second distance, the third distance being defined alongthe second longitudinal axis.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein thepin includes a body having a pair of parallel surfaces and a curved camsurface extending between the pair of parallel surfaces, wherein thepair of parallel surfaces and the cam surface are sized to be receivedin the locking plate.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pinincludes a lowered tapered surface formed at an end of the body.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the locking plate includes a pair ofparallel sidewalls and end surfaces extending between the pair ofparallel sidewalls, wherein the pair of parallel sidewalls and the endsurfaces define a pin slot that is sized to receive the pin.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the locking plate includes an uppertapered surface, wherein the pin slot is positioned below the uppertapered surface.
 15. A method of locking a suspension fork, comprising:coupling a housing to a telescopic outer shaft of a suspension forkalong a first longitudinal axis, rotating a pin about a secondlongitudinal axis that extends traverse to the first longitudinal axisto a starting position, wherein a first angle is defined between a tipof the pin and the first longitudinal axis when the pin is viewed in afirst plane, applying a compressive force to the suspension fork toadvance the pin downward past a plate coupled to an inner shaft of thesuspension fork, and releasing the compressive force to permit the pinto advance to engage the plate, wherein the pin is rotated to a lockedposition when the pin is engaged with the plate, wherein in the lockedposition, the tip of the pin is aligned with the first longitudinal axiswhen viewed in the first plane.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinrotating the pin to the staring position further comprises rotating thepin from an unlocked position, wherein in the unlocked position, asecond angle is defined between the tip of the pin and the firstlongitudinal axis when viewed in the first plane, wherein the secondangle is different than the first angle.
 17. The method of claim 15,wherein applying the compressive force further comprises advancing alowered tapered surface of the pin along an upper tapered surface of theplate.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein rotating the pin to thestarting position further comprising locking a guide tab of the pin in alocking mechanism.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprisingwherein the guide tab of the pin is disengaged from the lockingmechanism when the pin is engaged with the plate.
 20. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising applying an additional compressive force tothe suspension fork to disengage the pin from the plate, wherein the pinretracts to the starting position when the pin is disengaged from theplate.